Recreational apparatus



July 12, 1.960 J. R. DlxoN RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1960` Wl W t g 2,944,316Y Y RECREATIONAL APPARATUS- :im R. nikon, 68s B'eachview Drive,

FortWaltonfBeach, Fla. t Fuga Man-zi, 1960,sr. 'N0'. .16,410

I (ci. 27s-1G) This invention pertains'to a recreational apparatus. Briefly,A the invention may be described asv including an object adapted tobe thrown, such -as a ball, and a means merely by way of example and that other polygonal confor receiving the object and returning it in the. general Y direction from which it was thrown. More specifically,

the means for-'receivingV and returning boardly includes Aa resiliently mounted net against which thejball is thrown so as to extend the resilient `mounting which in turn will cause the vball `to be returned.

Asis wellknown, in orderforathrower, such as a,

baseball pitcher, to practice throwing, it is` generally necessary `to provide a catcher'who can receiveand ref'v turn the ball., In some instances it is possible -to throw the ball against` a wall which serves 4as a vbackstop and which may return theball in the general direction from which it was thrown. However, the latter possibilty is not alwaysfeasible,A particularly` if the ball is constructed of a nonresilient material such as a baseball. Further more, obviously, such walls are not always available for throwing practice. f

This invention eliminates the necessity of having a catcher or of having a wall when practicing throwing in order to have'the ball returned to the thrower. Furthermore, the invention may be used so that the ball is ref turned on the ground to the thrower or in the air.

A still further feature is that the invention is readily assembled and disassembled and of a lightweight constructio'ns that it is' portable and thus may be easily transported to the recreational area and set up for use.

It will also be seen that the apparatus may be used indoors as well as outdoors.

These and other features and objects of the invention will be apparent upon reading the specification with reference to the following drawings;

In the drawings: 1

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus embodyn ing the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary views in detail of a partV of the invention. f y

Figures 4 and 5 are illustrations of the manner in which the invention may be used.

1 Referring nowto Figure v17there is shown'aperspectiver tigurations as well as Vcircular may be used in the practice of the invention. Furthermore, it will be noted that the framek member 14 may be constructed of elements other than lthe tubular members which` have been mentioned previously. Y

The `frame memben 14 denes-an opening` '16- which:Y is substantially larger in width andlength than the largest dimension or diameter of the ballwhich it is adapted to receive. In particular,- the opening 41,6 should be of suiiicientY size that a thrower of reasonable skill can expect to hit it with thev ball from aconsiderable distance. t By way of example, it has been found that an opening ofL approximately 3 feet by3. feet will serve this purpose,

Y although it is apparent that larger and smaller openings may be used in the practice of the invention; Y

kA net 18 is mounted across the frame member 14 in a substantially taut condition. The net 18 may be constructed of any suitable material with openings that are substantially .smaller than the object used for throwing. It has been found that nylonnets are particularly-adapted for this use, although nets constructed of other synthetic and natural bers may be used. l Y l Y A The net is secured byv means ofthe elastic members 2.0v to the frame 14. The `elastic members by way of -example are' rubber bandsthreaded onto` the frame member 14. The .other ends ofthe members 20rare secured to the net 18 by means of the hooks 22 asshown inFigure v2.v As can be seen -in the drawing, theelastic members 20 are regularly spaced about the frame 14 with one at :each corner and Vthree along each side intermediate' the corners, or 16 in total.Y However, the number of elastic-members Ztlfma'y' be vvaried depending upon the force with which the net is to Yreturn the ball. If, for example; the ball is to be returned with little force, then, of course, the numberk of elastic members 20 should be reduced, and-,formore force the number should be increased.

= In order vto permit the frame member 14 to be dis-i assembledv into a rather compact package, it maybe desirable-to constructv it from two U-shapedportions 24 and 25, *Y In nthat event, the ends of one of the U,shapedpor tions will 4be swaged to a slightly smaller diameter so that they will t within the ends of the other U-shaped portions to form the joints 26.

The frame 14 is adapted to be held in a substantially vertical position by means of suitable supporting apparatus. For indoor use the support apparatus may include the brace member 27 which is secured at one end to the upper portion of the frame 14. Specifically, theV brace Ymember 27 is provided with an aperture 28 of suiii-` cient diameter to receive the associated portion of the frame 14. When the frame is constructed ofthe U-shaped halves 24 and 25, the brace member 27 may be removed at the point of juncture 26.

The lower end of the frame 14 is secured to a base Y member'32 by means of the U-shaped clamps 33 which view ofthe apparatus embodying the inventiongf The ap- Y.

paratus includes an object to be thrown, such as a ball 10 which may be of any suitable construction such as the ordinary baseball or tennis ball or in turna rubber ball of the conventional type. 'I he'ball should, be of suflcient;

size and weight that it may be thrown from a considerable distance by a person havingreasonable throwing skill with sufficient force that it will actuate* the receiving and returning apparatus which will be described hereinafter.`

tix its position with respect to the supporting surface. The base member 32 is provided at its other end with a recess V34 whichV is adapted to receive-the free end of l the brace member 27. In this manneri the frame 14 is held in a substantially `vertical position. As will be seen later on, it may be desirable to provide the base 32 with a series of recesses 34 which permit the frame 14 to be The receiving and returning apparatus is generally denoted by the numeral 12 and includes the frame member `14. In this instance the frame member 14 is constructed of lightweight tubular members which have been bent to form the rectangular conguration shown in Figure 1. It will be apparent that the rectangular configuration is slightly varied fromthe vertical position.

If it should be desired to utilize the apparatus outdoors rather than indoors, then the lower portion of the frame 154 may be supported by means ofthe stakes 36. The stakes 36 are driven into the ground with a suiiicient portion extending thereabove so that the frame 14 may be lashed thereto.` In this instance the base member 32 may be eliminated so that the free end of the brace Patented July 12, 1960 3 member 27 may be inserted into the ground at a distance from the stakes 36 that will provide the desired position of the frarne 14.

In Figure 4 the apparatus is shown in use by two players, i.e., a thrower 3S and a batter 40, in whichtheY frame member-14 is positioned so that it may receive and In =Figure the frame 14 is ltilted slightly away from the thrower 38 so that theballis directed upwardly and thus is returned in the air.

While the apparatus has been shown as used primarily in conjunction with a thrower, it will be apparent that it may'also Ybe used where the ball is being batted or hit into the net. For example, it may be used by a tennis player to practice hitting nthe ball where a partner is not available to return it. Furthermore, the Vframe could be positioned so that it will cause the ball to bounce before reaching the player or to be returned in the air for a volley shot. For such use it Will probably be necessary to enlarge the framework from the suggested 3 feet square to approximately l0 feet by 5 feet.

It is apparent that the subject invention provides a recreational apparatus that makes it possible for aperson to throw or hit a ball and to have it returned -to him without having someone to catch or retrieve it. The apparatus is of a lightweight construction that may be readily vassembled and disassembled which permits it to be transported to the recreational area where it may be easily set up for use.`

Although certain speciiic terminology has been used in describing the invention, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example and in no manner to be construed as a limitation. It is contemplated that certain changes may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Recreational apparatus for rebounding balls and other projectiles throw-n into engagement therewith comprising a rectangular frame, said frame comprising plural U-shaped tubular sections joined together in telescoping relation; a net within said frame of less area than the latter, said net being in spaced relation to said frame 4 around its periphery; a supporting base; said frame being connected to said supporting base in pivotal relation thereto; saidV supporting base at positions rearwardly of said frame constituting means for selectively receiving and maintaining a brace in any one of a series of positions; a brace having aperture means at one end, said frame being pivotally received within said aperture means at a position opposite to `thatat,v which said frame connects to said supporting base; said brace at its other end being selectively received and maintained in one of said series of positions on said supporting base to sustain said frame at'a selectedy vertical angle to the latter; a plurality of elastic members attached to said frame in uniform, spaced relation therearound, said elastic members being connected to said netaround its periphery tautly to suspend said 'net within said frame.

2. Recreational apparatus for rebounding balls and other projectiles throw-n into engagement therewith comprising a rectangular frame, said frame comprising plural U-shaped tubular'sec'tions joined togethe'rin telescoping relation; a net within said frame of less area than the latter, said net being in spaced relation Vto said frame around its periphery; a base member connected at 'oneend to said frame and extendingrearwardly thereof, said base member having at its other end Va series' of longitudi-v nally-spaced brace-receiving" means; a brace having'a'perture means at one end, said'frame being pivotally received within said aperture means at a position opposite to that at which said frame connects to said base member, said brace at its other end being selectively received in one of said series of brace-receiving means on said base to sustain said frame at a selectedvertical angle to' the latter; a plurality of elastic members attached to said frame in uniform,'spaced relation therearound, Ysaid elastic members being connected to said net around its periphery tautly to suspend said net within Said frame.

FOREIGN PATENTS A 397,260 Great Britain Aug. 24, 1933 Ziel Feb. 17, 1959i 

